The Apocalypse Brides Promise

Chapter 18

I glance around the empty building, humming quietly to myself. I see the figure of James moving in the corner of my eyes. "Have you found anything, kid?" 

"No, nothing much... Just a few bags of chips, and a jug of Capri-sun orange juice." 

"Better than nothing, right?" I question, kneeling and looking beneath a table. I saw a paper, so obviously I grabbed it. Glancing over the writing, it was quite clearly a child's writing. "I suppose... this could be a clue?" I whisper, looking at the poorly drawn picture of the house and its interior. The writing labeled each section. 

"So, there is a basement." James pointed out. I nodded and looked around the house for similar details throughout it. I walked from the kitchen's doorway, making my way towards the living room. 

"Okay, so we go from the living room to about..." I look up towards the front door, lifting my gun almost immediately. "James! We have zombies!" I called out. He slid into the living room, stumbling over his feet. 

"Where!?" He asked frantically, lifting his gun. 

"Front door." 

I took the first shot with my pistol, killing one of the few zombies outside. From below our feet, somewhere below the house, I heard the yelp of a child and the shushing of what sounded like adults. I looked towards James. "Game plan. You find the entrance to the basement, I'll hold off the zombies." 

"Are you sure!?"

"Nope, I'm Survivor 12..." 

"I... I'll take that as a yes...?" James hurried off into another room, leaving me to fend for myself. I chuckled softly, looking at the undead figures. 

"Jokes on you idiots, I have the weapons here," I spoke, firing away at the remaining zombies. Just as I began to reload my pistol, I heard James yell for me. 

"12! We have survivors!"

"How many?" I question, making my way towards his voice. 

"I think it's only the three." 

"Let me see them real quick," I spoke, standing beside James. I examined the three that stood in front of me. "Names." 

The child looked up at me, tilting her head. "I'm Suzy... Have you come to save us from the monsters?" She questioned. 

"Yeah... My friend and I have come here to save you from the monsters." I answered, lifting her. She looked at the people I assumed were her parents. "Who are those two?" I asked, examining them closely. 

"Mom and dad." The kiddo answered. 

"Well, let's get you three somewhere safe," James spoke, nodding his head towards the exit. I let him lead the way, and I followed behind them, making sure everything stayed safe. 

"So, I assume you all have been down there for the last couple of days... How much of your supplies did you have left?" I questioned, pulling my pistol. I shot a zombie that was down the street, returning my concentration on the family. 

"We had another week's worth of supplies down there." The father answered. I nodded my head. 

"James, we'll need to head back to gather that supplies. We need as much as we can get." 

"Understood," James muttered, looking over his shoulder. I nodded my head, telling him to keep his attention on the front. His eyes widened and he faced forwards. I chuckled, shaking my head. 

"You know something, James..." I began speaking, "You remind me a lot of this character I have seen on a TV show at some point." The mention of the TV caught the little girl's attention, this also caught the attention of James. 

"Who would that be, Twelvester?"

"It's 12, James... Or should I call you... Jamester?" 

"I... I understand why you do not like it now... um..." James sighed. I laughed softly.

"I was going to say you remind me of Bolin, from Legend of Korra." I pointed out, smirking. 

"Legend of whoy-whater?" 

"Never mind, just keep moving," I grumbled. 

-

About 10 minutes later, we had arrived back at the shop. I noticed a few confused glances from the family, so I decided to explain. "Here is our base, well... The base 13 and I share. 13 is my fiance, and we've been preparing for the apocalypse for a long time. You all won't be able to stay with us for long, but that's only because I will be setting up homes, well, more along the lines of bases, for you all." 

"13... 12?? What kind of names are those?" The mother of Suzy questioned. 

"Is that necessarily important?" James questioned, looking at the woman. 

I sigh, looking at her. "Nicknames. Now let's get inside before I decide to let you go wrangle with the zombies yourself." 

"I-... Let's just head inside..." The father spoke. He grabbed his wife and hurried over to the building. I looked towards Suzy and shrugged, slowly walking behind her parents. I knocked on the door and smiled.

"Hey, 13! It's me! And we found a couple of survivors." I shouted. The door began to open and I greeted 13 with a smile. I sat Suzy down and she ran inside. "Well-... That's Suzy... And these two are her parents." 

13 gave a confused look. "Where are they going to sleep?" 

"Floor," I answered simply, making my way inside. I look towards James, signaling him in. I chuckled softly as he pranced inside. 

"Oh. My. God. Phelix!!" James shrieked, "I found the survivors! I did a good job!" 

"You did incredibly well," I spoke, "I mean, you didn't die so..." 13 nudged me with her elbow. 

"You don't have to constantly be sassy." She whispered. I shrugged and laughed softly, locking everything back down. I glanced around, my eyes landing on the curious Suzy. I made my way over and gave her a curious glance. 

"What's up kid?" 

"I found a piece of cloth." She answered. 

13 ran over and picked up the kid. "Nope, that's nothing important, go to your parents." She scolded, handing Suzy to her parents. "Control thy child." 

"Will... Will do..." The father whispered. 

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Okay, so... I'll get the sleeping bags off my plane, and you can go ahead and fix the couch for James and Phelix, 13." 

"Oki doki, artichoke." 

I gave her a questioning glance and shrugged, walking out towards my plane. I hummed a soft tune, pulling the door open. I got inside the plane, glancing around. I grabbed a few sleeping bags I had packed, bringing them back inside. I sat them on the floor, looking for 13 after. I found her still setting up the couch. I chuckled, watching her for a moment. "Hey." 

"Oh, hey!" She greeted. 

"Where'd the boys go?" 

"They went to wash up and show the newcomers around." She answered. She had finally managed to set the couch up. 

"Hey, 12, 13! Where does this trapdoor lead!?" James shouted. 

"Don't FUCKING touch it!" 13 shouted. I stared for a moment and then looked towards James, signaling for him to get away from there. I then watch as 13 made her way over.

"Oh fuck-"